Protected's recent activity
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Comment on Popcorn! What's the best way to make it? in ~food
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Protected Link ParentAfter you finish CrossCode make sure you watch the speedrun, it's pretty crazy!After you finish CrossCode make sure you watch the speedrun, it's pretty crazy!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Protected LinkI've been playing Nomori, a 3D puzzle game that flew under everyone's radar. It's about 20 hours worth of content. Nomori features self-contained levels each with a pair of portals. Like... well,...I've been playing Nomori, a 3D puzzle game that flew under everyone's radar. It's about 20 hours worth of content.
Nomori features self-contained levels each with a pair of portals. Like... well, Portal! But there's no psychopathic AI and no momentum-based shenanigans. Instead, the gimmick here is that portals are preset, and depending on how a portal is positioned and rotated, anything that goes through it will acquire a new referential and gravity. So for example if portal A is perpendicular to portal B, when protagonist Kiko goes through it, her gravity will rotate 90 degrees, and she can now stand on the wall (or fall to what used to be the "side" of the level).
Each regular level has a main goal of carrying a (non-companion!) cube to the exit, and a minor goal of collecting a number of nature spirits ("kodama") hiding in hard to reach places. A minority of levels have more than one cube for platforming use. In addition to being affected by portal transitions, cubes can eventually be modified in a few of other ways, and Kiko also eventually gains the ability to rotate the portals themselves or to reposition them into other pre-existing locations, which means there's a nice increase in complexity and difficulty throughout.
The aesthetic is... tolerable. Colorful, cartoonish, with fairly simplistic (and in some cases generic) assets, but it doesn't matter. The music (which only plays on occasion) is surprisingly decent.
The plot on the other hand doesn't do it for me; I find the banter annoying and unnecessary, and the localization-agnostic grunts and screeches that take the place of voice acting are overdone and get on my nerves. Yet another game that would have been better if it focused on just the gameplay! Jonathan Blow was right to remove the plot from The Witness after all.
Just as an aside, since I've been complaining about plot a bunch in recent months - I want to make it clear that I love narrative games. But the narrative has to be worthwhile - see Cairn for a recent example. Shallow, inane narrative is just a waste of time.
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Comment on Fall 2026 | Which anime do you look forward to? in ~anime
Protected LinkWe watched some episode 1s yesterday. In addition to sequels already mentioned, this is a weak-seeming season and we don't really expect much from it. What we've seen seems fairly low budget on...We watched some episode 1s yesterday. In addition to sequels already mentioned, this is a weak-seeming season and we don't really expect much from it. What we've seen seems fairly low budget on average, too.
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Romelia Senki (Romelia War Chronicle) despite the shoestring budget and odd pacing (ep 1s seem to have that problem across the board this season) has a fairly interesting and likeable woman protagonist, who leaves the royal prince's war party in a generic fantasy tale to forge her own way. It's immediately obvious that she's far smarter than everyone else in her family or in the royal court, and the story seems to be about how she puts those wits to good use.
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The World's Strongest Witch: A straightforward comedy about a girl who is blessed with the strongest magical power: The Internet! The Internet is really really great; everything written on the Internet is true! Or so she thinks. Armed with access to satellite maps and gamefaqs, the airheaded protagonist blunders her way into being One Punch grade overpowered. It's just relaxing dumb fun, with no expectations.
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Psyren: A classic shounen from the 2000s that for some reason is only getting an adaptation now. Quaint in some ways - What's a payphone again? And a phone card? - and refreshing in others, I'd say. Teen male protagonist who is conventionally masculine/strong.
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#Zombie Sagashitemasu: Already mentioned in this comment section. It wasn't bad, but I'm not sure about it yet. It's lower budget than zom100. I prefer this kind of story when there's a well defined plot/motivation.
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Uncle's Obsession with Cute Things: A middle aged office manager has a secret: He loves cute things! But no one can find out, because everyone would despise him. On the surface, this kind of story should be positive, conveying to viewers that it's OK to like whatever you like, but I found the picture it paints of office bullies, rigid societal norms and old-fashioned thinking honestly depressing.
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Kanata Kara: As the industry desperately scrapes the bottom of the barrel, we go even farther back to the manga of the 90s for this traditional shoujo isekai (a bit like 12 Kingdoms, remember that?) The protagonist girl is transported to another world where apparently her arrival heralds a period of war and strife. As every nation's cartoonishly evil soldiers try to get their hands on her, she luckily (and literally) falls in the arms of a mysterious, handsome man, who patiently puts up with her squealing and damsel in distress nonsense. There are hints of world building and, full disclosure, this manga is very highly regarded, but boy does she leave a bad first impression!
I'm not interested in Toaro Anbu no Item or Steel Ball Run (Jojo) as I don't like those franchises. I missed Marronier but my friends didn't like it.
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Comment on Popcorn! What's the best way to make it? in ~food
Protected LinkPot. Microwave is a scam; overpriced, worse, and not much faster. I put a bit of sunflower oil in the pot and a known number of kernels. Wait for them to pop on medium heat, then add more kernels...Pot. Microwave is a scam; overpriced, worse, and not much faster.
I put a bit of sunflower oil in the pot and a known number of kernels. Wait for them to pop on medium heat, then add more kernels covering the bottom of the pot. Cover with a loose lid so all the vapor can exit. Shake as the kernels pop. No butter; just added salt after transferring to a bowl.
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Comment on Donald Trump strikes deal with Vladimir Putin to get diesel in sharp reversal of US policy weeks before midterms in ~society
Protected Link ParentI think Trump is just a malignant narcissist. He's not beholden to morals and values, his country, his word, or his past actions. He just does whatever increases his wealth and power, or whatever...I think Trump is just a malignant narcissist. He's not beholden to morals and values, his country, his word, or his past actions. He just does whatever increases his wealth and power, or whatever seems good at the time, often after someone else sucked up to him or bribed him. Right now what drives him is probably how offended he is that he didn't get the Nobel Peace Prize, and so he's doing the equivalent of throwing a revenge tantrum, except by getting people killed and countries destroyed, consequences which don't matter to him.
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Comment on Denmark government hack leaked 8.7 million citizen's ID's: the password was "123456" in ~tech
Protected LinkI just need to remind everyone that the danish presidency of the Council of the EU were the ones that reintroduced Chat Control last year (on their very first day).I just need to remind everyone that the danish presidency of the Council of the EU were the ones that reintroduced Chat Control last year (on their very first day).
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
Protected Link ParentHow do you think the formula might be improved?How do you think the formula might be improved?
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Comment on Amazon uses its tracking data to guess whether shoppers have a flat butt and no friends in ~tech
Protected Link ParentI have a kindle, so there's some kindle related stuff on that automatic amazon.com profile. All physical shopping comes from the six amazon storefronts in Europe (all of which are semi-independent...I have a kindle, so there's some kindle related stuff on that automatic amazon.com profile. All physical shopping comes from the six amazon storefronts in Europe (all of which are semi-independent and don't have this feature), so the profile is hilariously limited. It doesn't help that my kindle is mostly for trying things out and books from mediocre series that I read to relax, so when they confidently state that I "greatly prefer eBooks..." Yeah... Wrong, amazon!
It's also interesting that they have me down as a fan of series over independent novels. That's 100% wrong; it's more that authors of science fiction and fantasy prefer to release stories as series (it's more lucrative, no doubt). I'd love to read mostly individual novels with no sequels or prequels but that's not what's on offer...
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
Protected Link ParentClick to expand spoiler. Adam is typically the smartest (as displayed in this last episode), most skilled competitor, which is why I rarely cheer for him. It's much more fun to cheer for the...Click to expand spoiler.
Adam is typically the smartest (as displayed in this last episode), most skilled competitor, which is why I rarely cheer for him. It's much more fun to cheer for the underdogs. It was fun to have a chance to support him this time! Also it was funny that his love for old buildings was his undoing...
Which 50% draw result? I think it's obvious that the bit at the end with the reveal was something they did for the edit. Most of what seems like too much of a coincidence though, is often due to excellent editing, since they don't need to strictly adhere to matching timing, chronological order, can cut things, etc.
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
Protected Link ParentClick to expand spoiler. It's always a little disappointing when the competition is decided before the end is reached (which happens often!) but at least we have now learned that Ben's ridiculous...Click to expand spoiler.
It's always a little disappointing when the competition is decided before the end is reached (which happens often!) but at least we have now learned that Ben's ridiculous good luck is more powerful than Sam's bad one.
Other than that, it was a great season! Maybe the best so far in my opinion.
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Comment on Was watching a history YouTube video when I realized they are all AI in ~tech
Protected LinkNebula has a history section. It would be nice if they would add more creators, but still.Nebula has a history section. It would be nice if they would add more creators, but still.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Protected (edited )Link ParentBoy, do I have news for you! The second game is way, way bigger and more full of stuff. It goes all the way up to the end of the old' CD #1 (#2 on PC counting the installation disc) and everything...pad out the game
if they expect to sell the second
Boy, do I have news for you! The second game is way, way bigger and more full of stuff. It goes all the way up to the end of the old' CD #1 (#2 on PC
notcounting the installation disc) and everything is vast, detailed and crammed full of minigames (so many minigames) and voice acted cutscenes. It takes way longer to complete. There are good and bad things about this, I guess; it's nice to see the game world so fully realized, but it can be a little annoying at times. You might find the gameplay more interesting with a lot more materia, additional characters and chocobo stuff.I expect the third game will be similar; there's no way Wutai will be as bare as it used to be when they've been talking it up as a foreign power standing in opposition to Midgar and Shinra.
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Comment on Got my hands on a Steam Frame. Can't use it much for not having prescription lenses yet, but AMA. in ~games
Protected Link ParentThere's the Linux experience I know. Thanks for checking! (Sorry, I was on vacation in Serra da Estrela so I couldn't respond immediately.) I think by the time I pick up a Steam Frame the Linux +...There's the Linux experience I know. Thanks for checking! (Sorry, I was on vacation in Serra da Estrela so I couldn't respond immediately.)
I think by the time I pick up a Steam Frame the Linux + Linux stack using wivrn or equivalent will probably be such that steamvr still won't be required so that's OK.
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Comment on Got my hands on a Steam Frame. Can't use it much for not having prescription lenses yet, but AMA. in ~games
Protected Link ParentSome advice from an experienced VR user: Get two powerbanks. When one is used up swap it for the other and plug it in to charge.Some advice from an experienced VR user:
Get two powerbanks.
When one is used up swap it for the other and plug it in to charge.
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Comment on Chat Control 2.0 Trilogue update: No mass scanning deal for now in ~society
Protected LinkI'm sure the next Council presidency will try again. Somehow they always seem to hit the ground running on this matter, conveniently "forgetting" it's already been rejected and immediately...I'm sure the next Council presidency will try again. Somehow they always seem to hit the ground running on this matter, conveniently "forgetting" it's already been rejected and immediately announcing how much a priority it is for them to pass it. Whoever's pushing for this shit will be lobbying in the next country (Lithuania?) as early as feasible.
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Comment on Societal type of question in ~life
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Comment on Got my hands on a Steam Frame. Can't use it much for not having prescription lenses yet, but AMA. in ~games
Protected Link ParentThe desktop view. Can you interact with your PC's desktop? Maybe they fixed stuff recently. The VR linux community tends to not use SteamVR because the community alternative stack is generally...The desktop view. Can you interact with your PC's desktop?
Maybe they fixed stuff recently. The VR linux community tends to not use SteamVR because the community alternative stack is generally better (lower latency, better performance, better encoding) and because SteamVR just had a bunch of bugs (until very recently at least). It is possible that the bugs are tied to the android client of SteamLink.
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Comment on Got my hands on a Steam Frame. Can't use it much for not having prescription lenses yet, but AMA. in ~games
Protected (edited )LinkIt's good to read someone with a positive opinion regarding the controllers. I don't think much of the controllers of the other standalone headsets to begin with, but any improvement is good. It...Speaking of controllers, they're MUCH better than Meta Quest 3's
It's good to read someone with a positive opinion regarding the controllers. I don't think much of the controllers of the other standalone headsets to begin with, but any improvement is good. It is disappointing to me that they didn't include touchpads (even though they still put them on their other hardware) and longer handles.
the headset feels firmly held against my head
The problem is whether the pressure against your face will be painful/uncomfortable during long sessions. Your face gets hurt more easily than the top of your skull.
Pleasant surprise, as I was under the impression it didn't work on Linux yet
Was the remote desktop view working well? I was unable to get a good desktop experience out of SteamVR over Steam Link when connecting to a Linux PC (it used to work on Windows).
the SF works just fine in any kind of environment, even if it's pitch black
That's very good to know that it's not weak to lighting shenanigans. The Pico 4 certainly is.
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 19: Japanorama | Trailer in ~hobbies
Protected Link ParentClick to expand spoiler. A cliffhanger!!! How dare they? I thought they didn't do those anymore! This was a great episode. Lots of good feelings all around! Except when Ben was eating bad stuff, I...Click to expand spoiler.
A cliffhanger!!! How dare they? I thought they didn't do those anymore!
This was a great episode. Lots of good feelings all around! Except when Ben was eating bad stuff, I guess. And I knew right away there were going to be dam puns.
It might also be the episode with the best sum of beautiful views in the season so far.
I have to say, once again, I would not have chosen the curse Adam and Tom did, but maybe they'll get lucky (they are not the lucky team though; generally Ben gets the luck). Curse of the Clingy Lover seems great for overtaking?
In general throughout this season I've noticed both teams don't seem very keen on using curses that affect the other team at all. Shinkansen cards, skips and deck-related strategies seem much stronger.
...but then the salt-
Exactly!
...Oh. That's really interesting. I've never thought of doing something like that, but now I'd really like to try it.